Less than a week away from Election Day, Americans across the country are preparing to cast their ballots. Some have already cast their votes during early voting. In addition to the presidential race, each state, district and county will be voting for various offices. Here’s what Hoosiers need to know about what will be on their ballots.
Amendment to remove Secretary of Education from Gubernatorial line of succession
This amendment would remove the Superintendent of Public Instruction from the gubernatorial line of succession. Currently, the superintendent, or its equivalent, is sixth in line.
According to Ballotpedia, Republican Gov. Eric Holcomb abolished the elected position in 2019 and replaced it with the Secretary of Education, which is instead an appointed position.
Republican State Sen. Jeff Raatz, who is one of five initial sponsors of House Joint Resolution 3, said via his website in 2022, “Because [the Secretary of Education] is no longer an elected position, I believe it is wise to remove the position from the line of succession to make sure that only an elected official can become governor.”
The amendment on the ballot still refers to the Superintendent of Public Instruction, but is referencing what is now the Secretary of Education in the line of succession.
Voting yes to the amendment would remove the Secretary of Education from the line of succession and alter the state constitution. Voting no would leave the Secretary of Education in the line of succession and the constitution would remain the same.
State Supreme Court retentions
Unlike the U.S. Supreme Court, Indiana Supreme Court justices are put up for retention votes. The first vote comes two years after they’re appointed. If they’re retained after the initial vote, they’re put up for retention votes every 10 years.
Three of the five justices on the court are on the ballot this year, including Justice Mark Massa, Justice Derek Molter and Justice Loretta Rush.
According to the IndyStar, this retention vote might be more contentious than previous ones, after all three justices voted to uphold Indiana’s abortion ban.
Voting yes to retaining these justices will keep them on the bench for another 10 years. Voting no to retaining them will remove them from their seats and the next governor will get to appoint new justices.
Governor and Lieutenant Governor
Current Republican Gov. Eric Holcomb is unable to run for re-election this year, as Indiana governors cannot serve, “more than eight years in any twelve-year period.”
This year, Sen. Mike Braun is running as the Republican nominee for governor with running mate Micah Beckwith. Jennifer McCormick, former Indiana State Superintendent of Public Instruction, is the Democratic nominee for governor with running mate Terry Goodin, a former superintendent and Indiana House representative.
U.S. Senate
There will be one Senate seat on the ballot, filling a vacancy left by Braun, who is not seeking re-election and instead running for governor. Indiana’s other U.S. Sen., Todd Young, will not be up for re-election until 2028.
U.S. House
U.S. House terms are two years, meaning each of Indiana’s nine districts will elect a member to the House this election.
Indiana State Senate
Unlike the U.S. Senate’s six-year terms, Indiana state senators serve four-year terms. Per WFYI’s 2024 voter guide, there are 10 districts with elections this year. In four districts, incumbent candidates are running unopposed. In the other six, there is opposition both to incumbent candidates and newcomers running against each other.
Indiana State House
As with the U.S. House, each seat in the Indiana House of Representatives will be on the ballot this election.
School Board
According to the National School Boards Association, members of the school board, “...establish the vision and goals for the public schools in their district, and they set standards for the performance of schools and superintendents.” This means making decisions on everything from which books will be allowed in school libraries to appointing a superintendent.
Voters can see if their district has school board seats on the ballot and research the candidates on Ballotpedia by selecting their district.
County Elections
Each county has elected positions such as coroner, treasurer, surveyor and even justices for local circuit courts. Each of these positions makes a variety of decisions from the treasurer tracking finances and investing in the county to the surveyor maintaining property boundaries. Elections vary by county. Voters can select their county and see what’s on their ballot on Ballotpedia.
Hanne Brandgard (she/her) is a senior majoring in journalism and minoring in film studies. She is the Editor-in-Chief of The Campus Citizen. In her free time, she enjoys watching movies, baking, and meticulously curating playlists.
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